Yesterday, Elon Musk and the team at SpaceX made history not only for their rocket launch but also for sending the first road-legal production automobile into Earth’s orbit. A monumental achievement, and one that us car nerds watched in awe. It was one small step for *ahem* another display of both Musk’s and SpaceX’s enthusiasm for and intensity towards making space exploration a more practical, feasible, and prioritized reality. Thus far, it seems to be a massive success.

The vehicular choice of a Tesla Roadster was perfect as well. Being that Musk is the visionary behind both Tesla and SpaceX, it serves as much a promotion of the forward thinking attitude behind both companies.

Let’s pretend you have a rocket of your own and any vehicle you desire at your disposal. What would you launch into the abyss? There’s no pressure or anything. Just the possibility that whatever you choose will be the first thing extraterrestrials see of humankind.

Me? The question answers itself: It has to be a DeLorean. Or maybe something weirder, like a Plymouth Prowler or a VehiCROSS. But what about you? What’s the one vehicle you want circling Earth?

Car: Chrysler Voyager
What would you display on the infotainment screen? The Clangers
What audio would you have playing? As above
What would you name your vehicle’s inanimate occupant? Jim.

Wayward David

I like the idea of the Voyager because that’s a name with a proud history in early space exploration. But my brain went a slightly different direction at the idea of a spaceship named Voyager. The infotainment screen would display the Prime Directive and the occupant would have to be either Captain Janeway or Seven of Nine.

crank_case

I’d still rather represent humanity with genteel knitted space mice things and soup dragons than people in polyester jumpsuits banging on about the sub-prime directive to be honest.